Proverbs 16

1The plans of the heart belong to man; But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.

1People make plans in their hearts, but the final word comes from the LORD.

2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the spirits.

2A person thinks all their ways are pure, but the LORD examines the motives.

3Commit thy works unto Jehovah, And thy purposes shall be established.

3Entrust whatever you do to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.

4Jehovah hath made everything for its own end; Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

4The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for the day of disaster.

5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah: Thoughhandjoinin hand, he shall not be unpunished.

5The LORD detests everyone with a proud heart; you can be sure they will not go unpunished.

6By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for; And by the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil.

6Sin is wiped away by mercy and truth, and by fearing the LORD people avoid evil.

7When a man’s ways please Jehovah, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

7When a person’s ways please the LORD, he makes even their enemies be at peace with them.

8Better is a little, with righteousness, Than great revenues with injustice.

8It is better to have a little with righteousness than a large income earned unfairly.

9A man’s heart deviseth his way; But Jehovah directeth his steps.

9A person’s heart plans their path, but the LORD directs their steps.

10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; His mouth shall not transgress in judgment.

10The king speaks with divine authority; his mouth should not betray justice.

11A just balance and scales are Jehovah’s; All the weights of the bag are his work.

11Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD; he cares about all the weights in the bag.

12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; For the throne is established by righteousness.

12Kings hate it when people do what is wrong, because a throne is built on doing what is right.

13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that speaketh right.

13Kings are pleased by honest talk, and they love those who speak common sense.

14The wrath of a king isasmessengers of death; But a wise man will pacify it.

14A king’s anger is like a messenger of death, but a wise person will calm it down.

15In the light of the king’s countenance is life; And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.

15Life is found in the light of the king’s face, and his favor is like a rain cloud in the spring.

16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.

16It is much better to get wisdom than gold! It is better to choose understanding than silver.

17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

17The path of the honest is to turn away from evil; whoever watches their way protects their life.

18Pridegoethbefore destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

18Pride comes before destruction, and a cocky spirit comes before a fall.

19Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

19It is better to be humble among the poor than to share stolen goods with the proud.

20He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good; And whoso trusteth in Jehovah, happy is he.

20Whoever listens to instruction will prosper, and happy is the one who trusts in the LORD.

21The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

21The wise at heart are called perceptive, and kind words make teaching more effective.

22Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools istheirfolly.

22Good sense is a fountain of life to those who have it, but fools are punished by their own stupidity.

23The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.

23A wise person’s heart guides their mouth and adds persuasiveness to their speech.

24Pleasant words areas a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

24Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healing to the body.

25There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.

25There is a path that seems right to a person, but in the end, it leads to death. hunger

26The appetite of the laboring man laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him thereto.

26A worker’s appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on.

27A worthless man deviseth mischief; And in his lips there is as a scorching fire.

27A worthless person plots evil, and their speech is like a scorching fire.

28A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends.

28A dishonest person spreads conflict, and a gossip separates core friends.

29A man of violence enticeth his neighbor, And leadeth him in a way that is not good.

29A violent person tricks their neighbor and leads them down a bad path.

30He that shutteth his eyes, it is to devise perverse things: He that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass.

30Whoever winks their eye is plotting trouble; whoever bites their lips is set on evil.

31The hoary head is a crown of glory; It shall be found in the way of righteousness.

31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a righteous life.

32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.

32It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to capture a city.

33The lot is cast into the lap; But the whole disposing thereof is of Jehovah.

33The dice are thrown into the lap, but every decision they make comes from the LORD.